How to use the sod calculator
- Measure the lawn's length and width in feet. Split an L-shaped or irregular yard into rectangles, or get the total from the square footage calculator, and use "I know the sq ft".
- Choose how your supplier sells sod: small slabs are common at garden centers, and rolls come from sod farms.
- Check the square feet per pallet with your supplier. It depends on the grass and the farm.
- Pick the waste allowance. Curved edges and beds mean more cut pieces.
Sod formula
sod to order (sq ft) = lawn area × (1 + waste %)
pallets = sod ÷ sq ft per pallet
pieces = sod ÷ sq ft per slab or roll
Sod needed for common lawn sizes
Includes 5% extra. Slabs are 16 × 24 in, rolls are 2 × 5 ft, and pallets cover 450 sq ft.
| Lawn (sq ft) | Slabs | Rolls | Pallets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 79 | 21 | 1 |
| 500 | 197 | 53 | 2 |
| 1,000 | 394 | 105 | 3 |
| 1,500 | 591 | 158 | 4 |
| 2,000 | 788 | 210 | 5 |
| 3,000 | 1,182 | 315 | 7 |
| 5,000 | 1,969 | 525 | 12 |
Before the sod arrives
- Prepare the soil first. Remove old grass and weeds, loosen the ground, and spread 4 to 6 inches of topsoil. The topsoil calculator gives the yards.
- Lay it the same day. Sod heats up and dies on the pallet within about 24 hours in warm weather, so schedule delivery for the morning you plan to lay it.
- Stagger the joints like bricks and press the edges tight together, then roll it and water deeply the same day.
- Start along a straight edge such as a driveway or path, and cut pieces with a sharp knife around beds and curves.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
Most pallets cover 400 to 500 sq ft, and 450 sq ft is common. It depends on the grass type and the sod farm, so check before ordering.
How many pallets of sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
With 5% extra you need 1,050 sq ft of sod, which is 3 pallets at 450 sq ft each (2.3 rounded up).
How many pieces of sod are in a pallet?
A 450 sq ft pallet holds about 168 slabs of 16 × 24 in, or 45 rolls of 2 × 5 ft.
How much extra sod should I order?
Order 5% extra for a simple rectangular lawn and 10 to 15% for lawns with curved beds, trees and other obstacles to cut around.